It appears that the Toronto Raptors have a roster ready to add stars. This offseason could be a big stepping stone for the organization.
This season’s Toronto Raptors missed the playoffs for the third year in a row. After winning the NBA Finals in 2019, Toronto parted ways with OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Fred Vanvleet and Norman Powell.
Toronto is behind most of the Eastern Conference, but there is reason to believe they could become a massive player this offseason.
With talents like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Coineley, always downstream Jakob Poeltl and Brandon Ingram, Toronto was able to compete for the playoff spot.
However, offseason reports suggest that the Raptors are not satisfied with the competition alone and want to become their favorite for next season.
After adding Ingram last season in a future-led trade, it was clear that the original All-Star would not play that year at all, but once he was healthy, the Raptors were expected to take the next step.
The savvy Raptors don’t expect him to play the role, as Ingram wasn’t the true first option for the playoff team. Rather, Toronto appears to be hoping that Ingram and Burns will support the superstar player.
“The Raptors are a team that is starting to make a fuss within the league looking for big fish,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “If you’re an Eastern Conference Team in the middle of the pack, you’re watching the team in front of you. Some of them may not be able to be together.”
After an early exit, the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to explore some major moves, with the Boston Celtics not likely to have their best player next year, Jason Tatum. The east appears to be wide open.
“And naturally, this summer, especially those who want to move the teams that are Eastern Conference teams, will have Giannis on the board,” Windhorst continued. “The league teams have the impression that Toronto is trying to do something. Yesterday I told him I would think this would be an explosive summer.”
The Raptors have plenty of options this summer and could become a major player next year, even after they miss out on the playoffs.
Depending on the number of young assets the Raptor is willing to let go, this could be a massive summer for the six.
Of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the rumors, but the Raptors may have to break up with Burns to add him. Kevin Durant has a solid fit and is more affordable, allowing the Raptors to just let go of Bullet, young players and draft capital.
The free agent class isn’t the best of the year, but Miles Turner and Nazreed could be seduced by their current team.
For Healthy Bullet, Quickly, Ingram, Burns and Poertre, Toronto should be in the mix for a playoff spot. As the eastern part is still as widespread as ever, the Raptors and Maasai Ujiri are in counting.